Steve Jarrell

📍 Litchfield Park, AZ
✨ Display: Lights on Marshall Ave.
💡 Software: xLights

Like many members of the Light Up AZ community, Steve Jarrell’s journey into holiday lighting started with a simple thought: “One of these days I’m going to try that.”

After watching other RGB displays for several years and admiring what was possible with synchronized lighting, Steve finally decided to take the leap — and once he started, there was no turning back.

Today, Steve’s display, Lights on Marshall Ave., brings together a wide variety of elements to create a full holiday experience. His setup includes addressable RGB lights, static lights, projection, snow and fog effects, and coro props, combining multiple techniques to keep the show engaging and dynamic.

One of the most impactful upgrades Steve made to his display was adding a projector. The ability to include video elements opened up new creative possibilities and added another layer of storytelling to the show.

While the technical side of the hobby is fun, Steve says the real reward comes from the visitors.

Over the years, he’s had many memorable interactions, but the when asked which moment stood out the most Steve shared, it is the simple ones — "when I can see the young kids faces light up when watching the show. That's mostly why I do this."

Seeing their faces light up while watching the show is what makes all the effort worthwhile.

When it comes to his favorite element in the display, Steve admits it’s hard to choose just one. But if he had to pick, it would be the mega tree. As the centerpiece of the display, it anchors the entire show and helps tie everything together.

Outside of holiday lighting, Steve enjoys staying active and spending time with family and friends. He likes a lot of things and generally does not stick to just one specific past time. He's a big football & sports fan, enjoys watching movies, building Legos, and just about anything that brings people together.

Like many in the Light Up AZ community, Steve’s display is driven by creativity, curiosity, and the joy of sharing something special with the neighborhood — proving that sometimes all it takes is finally deciding to try something you’ve been thinking about for years.